47 Zinc’s lasting sustainable appeal


Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc looks at the lasting appeal of zinc as a sustainable solution for the building envelope, as shown on projects from the 19th century to the present day


he Parisienne rooftops adorning Hausmann’s famous 19th century buildings helped to define a cityscape that attracts millions of tourists every year. What these buildings have in common is their relative uniformity of materials and designs, which in the case of the roofing, is the use of rolled zinc. Hausmann’s Paris rebuilding programme was the catalyst for the widespread application of zinc and more than 150 years later, this non-toxic, easy to recycle metal is used extensively for standing seam roofs, in particular, in all kinds of contemporary and traditional architecture. As a material that was originally favoured for its durability, workability and aesthetics, it is the additional sustainability dimension to zinc which today offers significant additional appeal in an era when clients and developers are increasingly seeking the most sustainable material choices for their buildings. Zinc’s appeal for roofing and cladding is driven by its material characteristics – ‘self-protecting’ through its own patina, which develops over time through exposure to the air and water, with long lasting aesthetic appeal. It is also maintenance-free, requiring only rainwater to retain its appearance – no chemicals or special treatments.


T Sustainable & safe


As an easy-to-recycle product providing an in-situ lifespan of up to 100 years, zinc’s environmental credentials compare very favourably. It is estimated that over 90 per cent of post-use zinc is collected and recycled to manufacture new products, helping to minimise resource use. Further sustainability credibility comes through the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) available for zinc products provided by the BRE and conforming to EN15804, which further demonstrates that the life cycle, manufacture and processing of zinc products have minimal impact on the environment.


ADF OCTOBER 2019 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK


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